Bonus Chapter!
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Natalia and the others had to return to guard the samurai, so they didn't stay long in Inazuma City.
After finishing two hours of plaza dancing with Teresa, they left Inazuma.
Soon, the safe house was left with only Luo Qing, Teresa, and the tightly bound Rosalyne.
With Lumine off on Watatsumi Island with no clear return date, Luo Qing knew he couldn't keep Rosalyne tied up forever. After all, she was technically a colleague, and had even spoken a few good words on his behalf to the Tsaritsa. Luo Qing preferred to reason things out rather than forcefully restrain someone—unless, of course, Rosalyne chose to resist.
Finding an excuse to send Teresa off to play on her own, Luo Qing carried Rosalyne back to her own room, dropping her onto the tatami mat. He then shut the doors and windows tightly, drawing the curtains.
Sitting down in front of Rosalyne, he spoke in a calm tone:
"Now, Lady Rosalyne, how about we discuss our cooperation again?"
The only response was Rosalyne's glare, a look that promised a thousand cuts.
"No need to be so fierce. If you obediently follow my lead, everything will be fine when you meet the Raiden Shogun later, won't it?"
Luo Qing chuckled, not minding her expression at all, as he casually removed the gag from her mouth.
"Luo Qing! Do you have any idea what the consequences of your actions will be?"
Rosalyne's voice was icy. If it weren't for the cuffs on her wrists and ankles suppressing her elemental energy, she would have fought him tooth and nail.
"And what consequences would those be?"
Luo Qing leaned back casually. "Lady Rosalyne, didn't you say it yourself? Among the Harbingers, it's not uncommon to have a bit of conflict, right?
Besides, if you had cooperated a bit more, we wouldn't be in this mess, would we?"
"Since I arrived in Inazuma, you've been stalling me, preventing me from meeting with the Raiden Shogun. What, do you want the Gnosis for yourself?"
Rosalyne's gaze was icy, fixed on Luo Qing.
In Liyue, she had thought Luo Qing's personality had merely changed. But now, his strength and demeanor made it clear—he was a completely different person.
Everyone had their motives. In Inazuma, the only thing of real interest was the mysterious location of the Gnosis. She doubted Luo Qing was stalling her for mere amusement.
"I have no interest in that."
Luo Qing shook his head, leaning forward slightly until his face was closer to hers, his eyes reflecting her image.
"But you, Lady Rosalyne, you are very interesting to me~"
"You... you wouldn't dare!"
Rosalyne's eyes widened, a flicker of fear igniting deep within her.
What did he mean by that? Could he really be... after her?
"What's there to not dare~"
Seeing Rosalyne's misunderstanding, Luo Qing's mischievous side kicked in, deciding to play along.
"It's just the two of us here in this room. Who would know?
Or do you think, Lady Rosalyne, that anyone's coming to rescue you?
Heh heh heh~"
[Frustration Value from Rosalyne +10]
"I...! Luo Qing, if you dare lay a finger on me, I swear I'll never let you go—even if it costs me my life!"
Rosalyne's tone was cold and unyielding. She was, after all, a warrior of purity, standing firmly against any humiliation.
"Heh heh heh~ Lady Rosalyne, do you really think, with the gap in our strength, that staking your life would make any difference? Don't worry, even if you died, I'd still find you useful~ Heh heh heh~"
Luo Qing's face contorted into a villainous grin, a look that no mere novice could imitate without having seen dozens of twisted stories.
"You...!"
Rosalyne's fierce facade cracked, fear flashing through her eyes. Instinctively, she shrank back a bit, as if Luo Qing's words had truly struck a chord. She had never considered such things in her long life—was she really going to be at his mercy?
"Oh~ Lady Rosalyne, could it be that you're... a first-timer~? Heh heh heh~ Don't worry~ I'll be gentle, it won't hurt at all~"
As he spoke, Luo Qing stood and approached, hands moving to his belt as if to make good on his threat.
"Don't... don't come any closer!"
At this point, Rosalyne's once proud demeanor was in tatters. She tried desperately to summon her elemental power, but the cuffs on her wrists and ankles rendered her abilities useless, leaving her helpless.
Watching Luo Qing's slow, deliberate approach, she instinctively turned her head away, curling into herself and inching backward, desperate to put distance between them. But her back soon pressed against the wooden wall—she had nowhere left to retreat.
After a tense few moments, Rosalyne noticed that Luo Qing had stopped moving.
Turning back, she saw him sitting where he had been, leisurely sipping tea, watching her as if enjoying some private show.
"What are you..."
Rosalyne was utterly bewildered.
"What, you expected me to really take off my pants?"
Luo Qing burst into laughter.
"..."
[Frustration Value from Rosalyne +10]
Realizing she had been thoroughly tricked, Rosalyne's face flushed with both shame and rage.
"You...! You dare to make a fool of me!"
Her face was a mix of fury and embarrassment.
She had to admit—even with all her previous bravery in the face of death, the mere implication of intimacy had shaken her far more than she would ever have anticipated.
Meanwhile, Luo Qing himself was just as surprised by her reaction. Given her fearless reputation, he had expected her to stay indifferent. How had such a simple implication made her react so intensely?
Could this really be the weakness of a warrior devoted to purity?
"I wasn't lying, Lady Rosalyne—I genuinely find you fascinating," Luo Qing said, his smile gentle now.
"Remember what I asked you before? If you weren't serving the Tsaritsa, what would you want to do?"
"You want me to serve you instead?"
Rosalyne scoffed, "Do you really think you're worthy?"
"If that's how you see it..."
Luo Qing leaned back with a grin.
"Then I suppose I'll really take off my pants now~"
"..."
[Frustration Value from Rosalyne +10]
What was with this guy? Why did he keep making everything about taking off his pants?
If only her elemental energy weren't being suppressed, she wouldn't have to endure this humiliation... then again, it's not like she could have beaten him even at full strength...
"But that's a matter for later. Let's focus on the present," Luo Qing said with a chuckle.
"Now, Lady Rosalyne, you have two choices.
I can untie you, allowing you to move freely around Inazuma City. But you can't negotiate with the Raiden Shogun without my permission.
Or, you can stay bound here, being fed and tended to until I decide it's time to release you.
Which do you prefer?"
"Hmph, you're so confident I won't sneak off to meet the Raiden Shogun?"
Rosalyne sneered.
"Of course. I trust that Lady Rosalyne keeps her word,"
Luo Qing replied, leaning in close, his voice lowering to a whisper. "But if you really did try to defy me, the consequences would be... unpleasant~"
He wasn't joking—even the Raiden Shogun herself was under his influence now.
If Rosalyne dared to seek her out, he could easily have the Shogun tie her up again and deliver her right back to him.
This was his Inazuma. How did she think she could fight him?
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